Across Africa, waste is no longer just a byproduct of urban growth—it’s a raw material for innovation, jobs, and inclusive enterprise. A new generation of environmental startups is redefining what waste can be by converting plastic, agricultural residue, discarded packaging, and even food waste into valuable products.
These businesses are not only addressing pressing environmental challenges. They are also empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)—by creating new supply chains, unlocking informal work, and fueling sustainable manufacturing. This is the waste-to-value economy in action.
Mr. Green Africa (Kenya)
Mr. Green Africa has built a robust circular plastics economy by sourcing, processing, and re-selling post-consumer plastic waste. The company works with thousands of informal waste pickers, offering fair prices and financial incentives, while supplying global brands with high-quality recycled plastic.
Impact:
- Empowers waste collectors and SMEs through structured supply chains
- Reduces plastic pollution in urban centers
- Supports Kenya’s transition to circular materials in packaging and manufacturing
Wecyclers (Nigeria)
Founded in Lagos, Wecyclers operates community-based collection points and a reward-based recycling system in low-income neighborhoods. Residents earn points for recyclable materials, which they exchange for goods or cash. The collected waste is processed and sold to manufacturers.
Impact:
- Increases recycling awareness in informal settlements
- Provides income opportunities for households and micro-enterprises
- Diverts thousands of tonnes of waste from landfills
Trashy Bags Africa (Ghana)
This Accra-based startup turns discarded sachet water packets into stylish, durable bags and accessories. With a local team of tailors and designers, Trashy Bags has recycled millions of sachets and built a niche for upcycled fashion and utility items.
Impact:
- Offers urban employment and skills training
- Builds a demand-driven model for single-use plastic reuse
- Bridges waste recovery and creative industries
EcoAct Tanzania
EcoAct converts plastic waste into long-lasting plastic lumber, an alternative to wood used in construction and landscaping. The company uses an award-winning process that reduces carbon emissions while replacing timber—a critical innovation in countries facing deforestation.
Impact:
- Supports SMEs in construction with affordable materials
- Reduces logging and forest degradation
- Creates jobs in plastic collection, processing, and distribution
Kaze Green Economy (Burundi)
This social enterprise transforms organic waste into clean-burning briquettes that serve as an alternative to charcoal. The model helps address deforestation, indoor air pollution, and energy access—all while creating local micro-business opportunities.
Impact:
- Reduces reliance on wood fuel in urban and rural areas
- Generates micro-enterprises selling clean cooking solutions
- Supports climate mitigation and energy inclusion
GIVO Africa (Nigeria)
GIVO builds traceable waste supply chains by digitizing and automating waste collection. By supporting micro-collection centers and SMEs, it increases efficiency and transparency in how recyclables are gathered, sorted, and sold.
Impact:
- Equips informal waste workers with data-driven tools
- Connects local recyclers to larger markets and funding
- Improves logistics and inventory for circular SMEs
ColdHubs (Nigeria)
While not a waste processor, ColdHubs tackles the critical issue of food loss. Using solar-powered cold rooms in markets and farms, the company enables vendors and smallholders to store perishable produce—reducing spoilage and increasing incomes.
Impact:
- Extends the life of agricultural products
- Reduces food waste at the market level
- Supports small retailers and traders with infrastructure
Shared Ingredients for Success
What unites these startups isn’t just environmental impact. They share common DNA:
- Inclusive employment models involving informal workers and SMEs
- Local processing and distribution, retaining value within communities
- Demand-driven innovation, solving real problems with accessible products
- Partnerships with corporations, NGOs, and governments that help them scale responsibly
Why This Matters
Africa generates over 125 million tonnes of waste each year—much of it unmanaged. Environmental startups are showing that waste management isn’t just a public sector problem. It’s a business opportunity, especially when linked with SME development and climate goals.
As green entrepreneurship grows, so does its potential to:
- Formalize informal work
- Support gender-inclusive livelihoods
- Build regional supply chains for recycled and sustainable goods
Looking Ahead: Scaling Circular Impact
To grow further, these startups need more than applause. They need targeted investment, infrastructure, and policy support. Governments and development partners can:
- Expand financing for waste-to-value SMEs
- Incentivize procurement of recycled products
- Invest in logistics and local processing hubs
- Support technical training for upcycling and bioenergy entrepreneurship
By backing waste-focused innovation, Africa can unlock new green economies—where impact, profit, and inclusion go hand in hand.
About the Author
Aurel Kinimbaga is a contributor specializing in innovation, business strategy, and inclusive growth in Africa. He writes on entrepreneurship and the economic trends shaping the continent’s future.